SD Prep Sports

SD Prep Sports College soccer

Where are they now?

Jaguar kickers faces challenges in defense of PCC title

By Phillip Brents

CHULA VISTA, Sept. 23, 2004 -- The Southwestern College men’s soccer team enters the 2004 community college season as defending Pacific Coast Conference champions. Despite sizable turnover in the ranks, the Jaguars still look to be in the thick of this year’s title chase.

“We’re very optimistic. We’re the defending champions. We have a challenge for us. The challenge is even more for us because we have so few returners,” said SWC head coach Bob Flores, who is in his 15th season as coach.

The Jaguars raised their non-league record to 4-1-0 following a 2-1 victory against visiting Skagit Valley (Wash.) on Sept. 15. The visitors from the Pacific Northwest took the pitch as the defending Northwest Alliance Association of Community Colleges champion. The region covers schools in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Skagit Valley finished 16-3-1 last year, topping North Idaho for the region title.

Flores called the win a confidence boost for his side — one that is still sorting itself out with an influx of new players from various programs.

One thing that has not changed at Southwestern is the emphasis on homegrown talent.
“We have a good collection of local talent once again. We have good balance,” Flores said.
Alex Martinez (Chula Vista) and Tony Amezcua (Sweetwater) scored the Jaguars’ goals against Skagit Valley. The game showcased Southwestern’s blazing speed up front.

Flores said Martinez looks to be the team’s “go-to” man so far this season.

The Jaguars kicked off the season with a 4-0 loss against always-tough Santa Ana but promptly reeled off four consecutive victories. Prior to the Sept. 15 win against Skagit Valley, wins came against the University of Mexico-Baja California (4-1), Victor Valley (3-1) and Cypress (2-1).

“We kind of struggled at Santa Ana. We weren’t together as a team. But we’re playing more as a team now,” said SWC goalkeeper Kosta Makris, a graduate of Granite Hills High School, who helped the Eagles kick-start what would become a San Diego Section record 66-game win streak.

Flores said a priority is to get things settled on defense. “We’re trying to get more cohesive in the back,” he said. “It’s a fairly new team as happens at this level. We’re trying to get organized. But we think we have the team that can be successful.”

South County prep products include Christian Galaz, Christian Estavillo and Ricardo Aguilar from Montgomery High; Michael Avila and Edgard Martinez from Bonita Vista; Arturo Hernandez and Jesus Vargas from Southwest; Ruben Arreola from Sweetwater; Javier Rodriguez from Eastlake; Ivan Ruiz from Mar Vista; and Jay Petersen from Hilltop.

Players with San Diego County ties include Victor Leyva (Mission Bay) and Gustavo Sanchez (Palomar College). Juan Fernandez and Salifu Illemona both hail from Los Angeles.

The team’s international cast includes Sergio Salarrayan-Bengifo from Peru and Armando Juarez, Fernando Rojas and Isao Osuga from Mexico.

Southwestern opens PCC play Oct. 6 at Cuyamaca. Kick-off is 3:15 p.m. The Jaguars host Palomar Oct. 8 at 3:15 p.m.

Men’s soccer schedule
September
1: Santa Ana 4, Southwestern 0
3: Southwestern 4, University of Mexico-Baja California 1
8: Southwestern 3, Victor Valley 1

September
10: Southwestern 2,Cypress 1
15: Southwestern 2, Skagit Valley (Wash.) 1
21: Santiago Canyon at Southwestern, 4 p.m.
22: Southwestern at Chaffey, 3 p.m.
24: Southwestern at San Bernardino Valley, 5 p.m.
28: College of the Desert at Southwestern, 4 p.m.

October
6: Southwestern atCuyamaca, 3:15 p.m.
8: Palomar at Southwestern, 3:15 p.m.
13: Imperial Valley at Southwestern, 3 p.m.
15: Southwestern at San Diego City, 3 p.m.
20: San Diego Mesa at Southwestern, 3 p.m.
22: Cuyamaca at Southwestern, 3 p.m.
27: Southwestern at Palomar, 3 p.m.
29: Southwestern at Imperial Valley, 3 p.m.

November
3: San Diego City at Southwestern, 3 p.m.
5: Southwestern at San Diego Mesa, 1 p.m.
16: First round Southern California regional playoffs, TBA
20: Second round Southern California regional playoffs
23: Third round Southern California regional playoffs

December
4-5: State championships, TBA

Women’s soccer schedule
September
24: Palomar at Southwestern, 3:15 p.m.
29: San Diego Mesa at Southwestern, 3:15 p.m.

October
1: San Diego City at Southwestern, 3:15 p.m.
6: Miracosta at Southwestern, 3:15 p.m.
8: Southwestern at Imperial Valley, 3:15 p.m.
13: Southwestern at Cuyamaca, 3 p.m.
15: Southwestern at Grossmont, 3 p.m.
20: Southwestern at Palomar, 3 p.m.
22: Southwestern at San Diego Mesa, 3 p.m.
27: Southwestern at San Diego City, 3 p.m.
29: Southwestern at Miracosta, 3 p.m.

November
3: Imperial Valley at Southwestern, 3 p.m.
5: Cuyamaca at Southwestern, 3 p.m.
9: Grossmont at Southwestern, 3 p.m.
16: First round Southern California regionals, TBA
20: Second round Southern California regionals, TBA
23: Third round Southern California regionals, TBA

December
4-5: State championships, TBA